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At National Remembrance, Brigadier Ademulegun’s family make a plea
By

Andy Ezeani

The family of Late Brigadier Samuel Adesujo Ademulegun is making a straight-forward plea to the Nigerian government.

Brigadier Ademulegun was in the early batch of Nigerian soldiers. Born in 1924 in Owo, Ondo State, he holds the registration number N3 in the Nigerian Army, coming on the heels of Brigadier Wellington Bassey (N1) and General Johnson Aguiyi Ironsi (N2). Trained at Sandhurst Military Academy in the United Kingdom as the early officers of the Nigerian military did, Ademulegun served in various assignments such as Burma and Congo among others.

As at 1966, six years after the Nigerian independence, Ademulegun was at the First Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna as the Commanding Officer. He was in the prime of his career in independent] Nigeria and the future looked very promising. Then, it burst.

Nigeria was a young sovereign country, but her politicians were already deep into divisive politics that had foisted political crisis on the land. On the fateful night of January 15,1966, Ademulegun, having done with the work of the day retired to the comfort of his home in an elite area of Kaduna. His wife, Latifat was eight months pregnant.

What happened soon could not have been written by any thriller writer. Over a dozen soldiers, led by Major Timothy Onwuatuegwu, a friend of the Ademuleguns and others the Brigadier recognized, shattered the peace of the night and burst into the bedroom of the Commanding Officer. He was in shorts. Unknown to Brigadier Ademulegun, the first coup d’état in Nigeria had commenced. When he found heavily armed soldiers in his bedroom, his first reported comment was a question to the leader of the invading troop; what are you doing here?

The mission of the troop was clear to them. They needed the keys of the armoury. It was a matter of choice. For the Commanding Officer, the options were dire. In fact, there was no option. He knew he would not comply to the demand.

His heavily pregnant wife, Latifat, who was also on their bed when the soldier intruded in their privacy, equally knew the leaders of the troop. She obviously underestimated the danger at hand. He inserted herself between her husband and Major Onwuatuegwu and his team. Her attempt must have been to appeal to sentiment. She was heavily pregnant and also knew a number of those soldiers. In fact, some were close enough that they eat at the home of the Ademuleguns when they come on a social visit. In the heat of a coup d’état, such relationship counts for nothing. Unfortunately, Latifat Ademulegun did not live to note that. As he husband made to move, perhaps to draw his service weapon, the Onwuatuegwu team rained bullet on the woman standing between them and her husband. Next, followed the Brigadier. The blood of the couple ran all over their bedroom, a matrimonial enclave that had seemed so peaceful just minutes back.

The horror of the killing of Brigadier Samuel Ademulegun and his wife, played out before their six-year-old daughter, Solape, who was also in the room. Her younger brother, Adegoke, barely four years, was sleeping in a cot in the bedroom also. Another child of the couple,13-year-old Bankole, who was home on holiday was in an adjoining room when he heard the commotion. When he came out and saw armed soldiers at his parents’ bedroom, he simply ran back.

Brigadier Samuel Ademulegun and his wife counted among those who lost their lives in the night of January 15,1966, a night of horror that eventually culminated in a national crisis that claimed millions of lives. The Number 3 officer in the Nigerian Army lost his life because he refused to surrender the keys to the armoury. To him, service to country came above his personal safety.

In the morning after Brigadier Ademulegun and his wife were killed, a military vehicle came over to their residence and took away their bodies. That was the last their children saw of them.

As for their six children, that was the beginning of a life they could not have imagined. A life of uncertainty and living at the mercy of friends and relations of their parents. By God’s grace the six children later grew to stand on their feet. The first of the children even joined the Airforce and retired as a Group Captain before he died. Two other of them have also departed, leaving behind three.

January 15,2026 is the 60^th anniversary of the killing of Brigadier Samuel Ademulegun, the first Commanding officer of the First Brigade of the Nigerian Army Kaduna. Sixty years down a harrowing life lived with a nightmare that never went away, the family of the late Brigadier is pleading with the Nigerian State, especially the Armed Forces to kindly show them where their parents were buried. A Brigadier and Commanding Officer who died protecting the country could not have been discarded just like that. The Ademuleguns have made several efforts to get an answer to the single question that has agitated their mind for long; Where was Brigadier Samuel Ademulegun and his wife, Latifat buried? As Solape Ademulegun-Agbi, the only daughter of the couple asked, is this too much to ask for? Before her six-year-old eyes her parents were killed. Over these decades she cannot even go to their burial ground to honour them because neither her nor her siblings know where they were buried. And they did not die in a war.

Is there no honour in Nigeria for a senior military officer who gave his life for the country? While the remaining children of Brigadier Samuel Ademulegun and his wife still live, all they say they are asking of Nigeria is to help them bring a closure of sorts to this nightmare.
- Andy Ezeani, Veteran Journalist, was Editor of Daily Champion Newspaper
January 15, 2026
Benue Under Siege: Idoma Leaders Demand Military Sweep After Deadly Attack

Otukpo, Benue State — The apex socio-cultural organisation of the Idoma Nation, Ochetoha K’Idoma, has called for immediate and decisive military action following a deadly attack on Akpa-Otobi community and neighbouring settlements in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, 14 January 2026, left four people dead, including a former Local Government Councillor and a serving member of the Nigerian Armed Forces who was home on leave.

According to an Emergency Situation Report issued by the Benue State Civil Protection Guards (BSCPG), Benue South Headquarters, suspected armed herdsmen and kidnappers stormed the community and opened fire indiscriminately at a local provision shop.

Security sources said the attackers were reportedly searching for food and supplies to sustain victims held captive in nearby forests.

The killings have sparked renewed outrage across Idoma communities, with Ochetoha K’Idoma describing the incident as part of a sustained and coordinated campaign of violence against the people of Benue South.

In a statement signed by its President-General, Professor Yakubu A. Ochefu, the organisation said the murder of a serving soldier on home soil underscored what it described as a deepening collapse of security and state authority in the area.

“This is no longer an isolated incident,” the group said, pointing to a similar attack in the same axis last year. According to the statement, repeated assaults have effectively hampered farming and trading activities, leaving rural communities unable to harvest crops or transport goods to markets.

Ochetoha K’Idoma warned that the violence now amounts to more than random criminality, describing it as an attempt to economically strangulate and forcibly displace Idoma communities from their ancestral lands through fear, hunger, and insecurity.

While reaffirming its commitment to Nigeria’s unity and constitutional order, the group expressed concern that the state’s inability to protect lives and property was eroding public trust and pushing communities toward desperation.

The organisation acknowledged the response of security agencies following the latest attack but insisted that reactive deployments were no longer sufficient.

It called for a comprehensive and proactive security strategy, including immediate aerial and ground operations to flush out criminal elements from surrounding forests.

Ochetoha K’Idoma specifically identified a security corridor stretching from the abandoned Otobi Irrigation Project through Efu’Ogwanokwu in Ohimini Local Government Area, Otukpo-Nobi, and extending to Raav in Gwer Local Government Area, describing it as a known sanctuary for kidnappers and armed groups.

The group also demanded the establishment of permanent security outposts at strategic entry and exit points to prevent armed groups from using forested areas as operational bases.

Despite the rising insecurity, Ochetoha K’Idoma said the Idoma people would not be intimidated or displaced, insisting on justice for the victims and the restoration of peace in the area.

The organisation said it remained open to constructive engagement with the federal and state governments, as well as security agencies, to achieve lasting security and stability in Benue South.

January 14, 2026
Trump Threatens 25% Tariff on Countries Doing Business With Iran Amid Protests

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said the United States would impose a 25 per cent tariff on all trade with any country that does business with Iran, escalating economic pressure on Tehran as it faces its largest anti-government protests in years.

“Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25 per cent on any and all business being done with the United States of America,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social, adding that the order was “final and conclusive.”

No official documentation outlining the policy appeared on the White House website, and the administration has not clarified the legal authority for the proposed tariffs or whether they would apply to all of Iran’s trading partners. The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

Under U.S. law, tariffs are paid by American importers, meaning the cost would likely be borne initially by U.S. companies and consumers.

Iran, a member of the OPEC oil-producing group, has been under extensive U.S. sanctions for years. It exports most of its oil to China, with Turkey, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and India also among its key trading partners.

China criticised Trump’s announcement, with its embassy in Washington opposing what it called “illicit unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction.” A spokesperson said China would take “all necessary measures” to safeguard its interests, adding that “tariff wars and trade wars have no winners.”

Japan and South Korea, both of which reached trade agreements with the United States last year, said they were closely monitoring developments. South Korea’s trade ministry said it would consider its response once U.S. actions became clear, while Japan said it would examine the potential impact and respond appropriately.

Trump’s comments come as Iran grapples with widespread unrest that has evolved from protests over economic hardship into calls for the overthrow of the country’s clerical leadership.

The demonstrations represent one of the most serious challenges to Iran’s ruling establishment since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

U.S.-based rights group HRANA said it had verified the deaths of 599 people since protests began on December 28, including 510 protesters and 89 members of security forces.

Iran, which fought a brief war with U.S. ally Israel last year and whose nuclear facilities were bombed by U.S. forces in June, said it is keeping communication channels open with Washington. Trump has said the U.S. may meet Iranian officials and that he has been in contact with Iran’s opposition, while also threatening military action.

“Diplomacy is always the first option for the president,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday, though she acknowledged that other options remain on the table.

The tariff threat is consistent with Trump’s broader trade strategy in his second term, during which he has repeatedly used tariffs to pressure countries over trade practices and ties with U.S. adversaries. However, his approach faces legal uncertainty, as the U.S. Supreme Court is considering whether to strike down a wide range of existing Trump-era tariffs.

According to World Bank data, Iran exported goods to 147 trading partners in 2022, underscoring the potentially wide-reaching implications of Trump’s proposal if it is formally implemented.

January 13, 2026
The buffoonery of so-called ‘Don-roe Doctrine’

By

UGO ONUOHA

Donald Trump’s reckless distortion of the Monroe Doctrine to justify the invasion of Venezuela exposes not grand strategy, but hypocrisy, imperial nostalgia, and the accelerating decline of American moral authority.

A dangerous mix of crude oil lust, militarism, and authoritarian impulse now masquerades as U.S. foreign policy.

JAMES Monroe was the fifth president of the United States of America. He served for eight years between 1817 – 1825. To an extent, even up till now, and in spite of the deep divisions within American society, his presidency is often regarded as the “Era of Good Feelings”. This was down to what was called the relative peace and unity during that time. Monroe did not earn his place in history and in the pantheon of great American presidents by his delivery of grand or, as we are wont to say here in Nigeria, legacy projects. No. But he secured his place in the hearts and minds of successive generations of Americans through his bold and grand vision for his country and the Western Hemisphere [the Americas in particular].

That grand vision of more than 200 years ago [1823] was encapsulated in what became known as the Monroe Doctrine which became the cornerstone of US foreign policy for decades, and even up till the present day. In essence, the Monroe Doctrine was an American policy which warned European powers against further colonization or intervention in the Americas in the immediate aftermath of decolonisation. It aimed to establish the Americas as a US sphere of influence. As a corollary, the US committed to non-interference in European affairs. The aim was to keep the New World separate from Old World politics and to prevent monarchies in Europe from reclaiming colonies after countries in Latin America gained their independence. Subsequently, the Doctrine was used to justify the assertion of American dominance in the region and interventions in Latin America and indeed elsewhere.

The key principles of the Monroe Doctrine included that the American continents were closed to any future European colonization; any European attempt to control, meddle or interfere with countries in the Western Hemisphere would be seen as a hostile act against the US; and, the US would steer clear of European political affairs and wars.

The Monroe Doctrine, as should be expected, has been used and abused in the hegemonic disposition of the US in the over 200 years of its formulation. It has been used to pressure presidents of countries in Latin America and in other places who were perceived as not promoting and protecting US interests; it has been deployed for regime change in the region; it has been canvassed to justify the assassinations of leaders of other countries, and the installation of friendly regimes; it has formed the basis for occupying some Latin American countries; the Doctrine has formed the basis for the invasion and the abduction of regional leaders who were subsequently put on trial in American courts of law.

It was the Monroe Doctrine which, as he’s wont to do, President Donald Trump, is attempting to bastardise by branding it as ‘Don-roe [after his own first name, Donald] Doctrine’, that he used for the invasion and kidnapping of the President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro. And then bundling him and his wife to the US to face charges on Trump’s so-called ‘narco-terrorism’ crime. To justify his modern day gangsterism, Trump claimed that Venezuela under Maduro, had been “increasingly hosting foreign adversaries in our region and acquiring menacing offensive weapons that could threaten US interests”. He said Maduro’s actions were in “gross violation of the core principles of American foreign policy dating back more than two centuries”. We will recall that the alleged possession of weapons of mass destruction [WMD] was the reason that the US adduced for the invasion and destruction of Iraq. It was a ruse.

All were pretexts. Being profound and high-minded were not the forte of Donald Trump. He is banal. He is shallow. He lacks basic human decency. He is not capable of deep thought. He could be regarded as clever. He could pass as being smart. But that will only be in the class of crooks. In any case, he is a convicted felon. Trump is probably the only known practiced liar who is incapable of sustaining a lie. And that could be because 10 out of every nine words out of his mouth are likely to be lies. The reasons he adduced for abducting Maduro have all crumbled. He crumbled them himself along with his regime’s band of bare-faced liars. And racists.

Let’s make an attempt to deconstruct Trump and his rationales for going into Venezuela and abducting its president. But before that it must be acknowledged that Maduro did not cover himself in glory in the years he was in power. There are receipts that he brazenly stole Venezuela’s presidential election of last year. But if stolen election is sufficient grounds for a foreign power to oust the president of another country, some people who are sitting pretty in the presidencies of some African and third world countries would have long been sacked and jailed. Some of such presidents are consumed by working out how their henchmen will rig elections, cause violence in their opponents strongholds, compromise election managers, use security agencies to intimidate opposition figures, deploy anti-graft agents to harass and besmirch rivals, and ‘snatch, grab and run’ away with results on election day, and finally cause a ‘technical glitch’ on the portal for the transmission of election results, than in governing and doing good for a majority of their people.

Trump accused Maduro of being at the head of a drug cartel called Cartel de los Soles [or Cartel of the Suns], and so undeserving of continuing to be the president of neighbouring Venezuela. That could not be sustained because on December 1, 2025, the same Trump had pardoned a former president of another neighbouring country Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernandez, who was arrested under President Joe Biden by US law enforcement agents, arraigned in a US court, convicted, and sentenced to prison for importing 400 tons of cocaine into America. Hernandez, who served as president from 2014 to 2022, was convicted for turning Honduras into a “narco-state” and accepting bribes from drug traffickers. He was to be in prison for 45 years. The hypocrisy should be staggering. Indeed, at the arraignment of Maduro and his wife in New York last week, the frequently bandied name of the drug cartel that Maduro allegedly headed for the drug business was not mentioned in the charge sheet. Pretext number one crushed. The president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, is notorious for his alleged links to the MS-13 criminal group but he visits the White House at the instance of Trump and is treated to a red carpet reception. He was in the Oval Office last year. There have been credible allegations that Bukele’s regime made deals with the gang, offering them power and financial incentives in exchange for reducing violence and supporting his ruling party, Nuevas Ideas, during elections. He is Trump’s friend.

Then Trump said that Maduro was a dictator which is true. But that also cannot be a justification for kidnapping another country’s president. Trump himself is a wannabe dictator. He had said so severally himself. His circle of friends comprises strongmen whom he admires and dotes on, including the president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Un, the president of Turkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the president of China who is also the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and the Chairman of the Central Military Commission, Xi Jinping. So if Trump admires dictators, he should be in love with Maduro. Another reason out the window. Trump said one of the things he liked about Xi was that he seized power for life. Maduro rigged elections to cling on to power also for life. He is not different from Xi who fiddled with the constitution of China to remain in office for life. But for Trump, it’s different strokes for different folks.

The other reason for Trump kidnapping Maduro was that he was not a legitimately elected president of his country. He rigged an election. If that be the case, the expectation should be that with Maduro’s ouster the opposition candidate who was said to have won that election would have been installed. But no. Maduro’s vice president who was his running mate in the discredited election was instead sworn in as the president of Venezuela. Trump is working with her and has already extracted a gift of 50 million barrels of crude oil. Trump has said America would sell the crude at the ruling market rate, and that he would personally control the use of the proceeds of the sale.

Meanwhile, it has been proven that Venezuela sits atop over 300 billion barrels of crude oil, reported to be the largest crude oil reserve in the world. Trump said that Maduro had to be removed because the oil belonged to America. He said US oil giants including ExxonMobil, Chevron, Conoco Philips and others were in the know about the plot. And that they would move in to take over the oil fields. The oil companies have since disclaimed the story. When finally Trump held a meeting with the oil executives last week, they gave him a condition for the transaction – that the American government, read taxpayers, should fork out a minimum of $100 billion to subsidize their potential return and investment and revamping of Venezuela’s degraded upstream and downstream oil sectors. ExxonMobil chief said that his company had a bitter experience in Venezuela about 40 years ago, and so would hedge its bet on the country this time around. In other words, the oil executives were saying that for them to return to Venezuela, the poor people of the US should fund the venture of the rich oil companies. Of course, as usual Trump had lied that he consulted with the American oil majors before and after his invasion of Venezuela.

Furthermore, Trump said that Venezuela was not a democracy. But there has been no talk of restoring democracy since the removal of Maduro. President Trump merely said he would run the country for an indeterminate period. He has not mentioned conducting any elections. Instead the rumps of the Maduro regime continue to hold on to power. He has dismissed the winner of the latest Nobel Peace Prize, a Venezuelan opposition figure, saying that she did not possess leadership capacity. But Trump added that she could be considered for some sort of role in governing that country if she gave him the Nobel Peace Prize when she visits Washington soon. Trump coveted and vigorously campaigned for the Prize before it was awarded to Maria Corina Machado, a politician and activist who was recognised for her efforts to achieve peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy in Venezuela. The world football governing body, [FIFA] has since manufactured its own peace laureate and awarded it to Trump in an elaborate ceremony ostensibly to pacify him. America, Canada, and Mexico are jointly hosting this year’s football world cup.

So why did Trump invade Venezuela and kidnap Maduro. There are three possibilities. Trump has been enamoured by the phrase: take their oil. He had been quoted as saying that a grave mistake that America made when it invaded Iraq in 2003 was in not seizing that country’s oil fields and assets. And he is now insistent on seizing Venezuela’s oil. This is in spite of the fact that America is an oil producer with sizable crude deposits. Secondly, Trump is mortally afraid that Venezuela was becoming a staging post for the encirclement of the US by hostel and rival powers such as Russia and China. And in addition, Venezuela’s adoption of transactions for its crude oil sales in currencies other than the Dollar posed an immediate danger to the American currency. It did not matter to Trump that on this issue the horse has since bolted from the stable. Russia and BRICS nations have already made tremendous advances in de-Dollarisation of global trade. BRICS and partner countries now make up more than half of the world’s gross domestic product [GDP]. And they are perfecting payments for trades amongst themselves without using the USD. The American century is almost over. Trump is only helping to accelerate the decline.

However, the most important reason for Trump’s adventures could be his love for the use of the American military might in an unrestrained and unconstrained manner. Last week he bombed ISIS in Syria. Previously, he had bombed Iran, Nigeria and other places for incoherent reasons especially in the case of Nigeria. His flexing of military might has not been limited to foreign lands. He also has attempted to use the American military inside the US in spite of the act being forbidden by the US constitution. He federalised the American National Guard for domestic law enforcement in some cities controlled by the opposition Democrat Party. It was even suggested that he planned to use the military to intimidate voters during the midterm elections in November which he feared his Republican Party would lose. And in the 2028 election. But the US supreme court has stopped him by declaring that he is constitutionally forbidden from federalising the National Guard. Democracies die when megalomaniacs and buffoons accede to power. That’s the fate that awaits the US with Trump in the presidency. The sun is setting on America as a city on the hill and a force for global good.

January 13, 2026
US-Based Nigerian Media Expert Establishes Media and Digital Centre at IMT Enugu

Enugu, Nigeria – Dr. Uchenna Ekwo, a US-based Nigerian media expert and alumnus of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, has established a Media and Digital Centre at the Mass Communication Department of the institute.

The initiative was aimed at equipping staff and students with essential digital and media literacy skills.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ekwo, who is also the President of the Consortium for International Education and Development (CIED), New York, presented certificates to staff members who completed a training on media and literacy.

He urged participants to embrace digital skills to adapt to the rapidly changing global landscape and to combat misinformation.

“As an alumnus, I felt compelled to give back to my alma mater by establishing this centre. Digital and media literacy is no longer optional; it is a civic skill, a professional competency, and increasingly, a survival skill,” Ekwo said.

He emphasized that citizens must learn to critically evaluate information, question content, and use media responsibly for empowerment rather than manipulation.

Ekwo explained that the certificates awarded represented commitment, responsibility, and relevance in a digital era. Of the 13 staff enrolled, five successfully completed the rigorous training, marking the first cohort of graduates.

Prof. Gozie Ogbodo, Rector of IMT, lauded the initiative as aligning with the institution’s goal of ensuring students acquire practical skills alongside academic qualifications. “We expect our students to take advantage of these opportunities to graduate not only with a diploma but also with life-sustaining skills,” he stated.

A beneficiary of the programme, Mr. Jonah Mamah, described the training as “life-changing” and noted that the digital skills gained would be valuable in their professional and personal lives.

Ekwo commended CIED for its vision in bridging education, local realities, and global opportunities, and thanked IMT for its intellectual partnership and support in nurturing digitally empowered citizens.

January 13, 2026
Akwa Ibom Assembly Denies Outrageous Bill to Jail Women Over Married Men!

A viral social media post claiming that the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly is planning to pass a law jailing women for sexual relationships with married men has been categorically dismissed as false and misleading.

The post, reportedly shared by Facebook user Obiavel Albert Abigo, alleged that Deputy Governor Sen. Akon Eyakenyi was sponsoring the bill, which supposedly would punish women with 10 years in prison and impose a ₦2 million fine on men.

But the House has hit back hard. In a strongly-worded statement on Monday, Jerry Otu, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, described the report as a “fabrication with no legislative basis”.

He emphasized that the Assembly has never received, discussed, or considered any such bill, and that the Deputy Governor has no involvement whatsoever.

“This is a malicious attempt to tarnish the image of both the Deputy Governor and the House of Assembly,” Otu said. “We urge the public to disregard this fake news and any commentaries circulating alongside it.”

Otu further reassured citizens that the House remains firmly committed to its constitutional role of lawmaking, and warned that such mischievous reports will not undermine its integrity or distract from its legislative duties.

This incident highlights the growing problem of viral misinformation, particularly on social media, where outrageous claims can spread faster than facts.

The Akwa Ibom Assembly’s prompt rebuttal is a reminder to always verify news before sharing, especially when it concerns sensitive issues that can damage reputations.

January 13, 2026
CDS Assures Nigerian Troops of Improved Salaries, Welfare in 2026

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has assured officers and personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria that concrete steps are being taken to improve their salaries and overall welfare.

Oluyede gave the assurance on Monday in Abuja during the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD) Social Night for soldiers, ratings, airmen and airwomen.

He said the initiative was being pursued in collaboration with the Service Chiefs and with the approval of President Bola Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

“If I tell you we are working on something, please be hopeful. Something positive will come up,” the CDS said, pledging that 2026 would be a better year for personnel of the armed forces.

Beyond salary enhancement, Oluyede disclosed that arrangements were being finalised to improve post-service welfare, particularly through access to soft loans for spouses and affordable housing schemes for serving and retired personnel.

According to him, discussions are ongoing with financial institutions to provide low-interest loans to spouses of service members to enable them establish sustainable businesses, while housing loan options are being expanded to ensure personnel retire with dignity.

The defence chief commended soldiers, ratings, airmen and airwomen for their resilience and professionalism in safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty across all theatres of operation, noting that their sacrifices had continued to yield significant operational successes nationwide.

He also paid tribute to fallen heroes and acknowledged the vital role of military families, describing their prayers and sacrifices as a silent but powerful force behind every successful mission.

Oluyede expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his unwavering support for the Armed Forces, as well as to the Service Chiefs for their leadership and commitment to improving the welfare and morale of personnel.

Earlier, the Chief of Defence Administration (CDA), Rear Adm. Gideon Kachim, described the Social Night as a deliberate gathering designed to give personnel an opportunity to unwind, reflect and celebrate.

Kachim said the occasion also provided a solemn moment to honour and remember fallen heroes who paid the supreme price in defence of the nation, stressing that their sacrifices remained a timeless source of inspiration to serving personnel.

The Social Night was part of activities marking the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.

Dignitaries in attendance included the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas; Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke; and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lt.-Gen. Emmanuel Undiandeye.

Highlights of the event included the presentation of awards to deserving personnel for outstanding performance and dedication to duty, as well as musical performances by legendary artistes Tuface Idibia, Zule Zoo and Magnito

January 13, 2026
UN Calls for Investigation into Deadly Protests in Iran

Tehran, January 12, 2026 — The UN human rights chief has called for an independent investigation into reports of deaths and widespread arrests during ongoing protests across Iran.

Volker Türk expressed deep concern over nearly two weeks of demonstrations, which have reportedly left around 50 people dead and hundreds detained amid the country’s worsening cost-of-living crisis.

Türk stressed that those responsible for any human rights violations must be held accountable and urged authorities to address public grievances through “inclusive and meaningful dialogue.”

Meanwhile, nationwide internet and communication shutdowns have created a near-total news blackout, limiting access to information and hindering documentation of potential abuses.

Deadly protests in Iran

Türk warned that such measures undermine freedom of expression and access to essential services.

UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric confirmed that UN staff in the country are “safe and accounted for.”

Both officials emphasized that peaceful assembly is a fundamental human right, protected under international law, including Article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

January 12, 2026
NiMet Forecasts Dust Haze and Cloudiness Across Nigeria
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted dust haze and cloudiness in various parts of the country from Sunday to Wednesday.

According to the agency’s weather outlook released in Abuja:
- In the northern region, moderate dust haze is expected on Monday and Tuesday, increasing to thick dust haze on Wednesday.
- The central region is forecast to experience thick to moderate dust haze throughout the period.
- Inland cities in the southern region are expected to have moderate dust haze from Sunday through Wednesday.
- Coastal areas are predicted to have sunny skies with patches of clouds, with isolated thunderstorms and light rains possible later in the day in Lagos, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Delta States.
NiMet advised that dust particles are suspended in the air, recommending that people with asthma or respiratory conditions take necessary precautions. Drivers are advised to exercise caution during rainfall. Airline operators are encouraged to obtain airport-specific weather reports from NiMet.

Residents are also advised to stay informed through official updates from NiMet via their website: www.nimet.gov.ng.
January 12, 2026
Imo State: Achi Mbieri Community Demands Accountability Over Oil Revenue Mismanagement

Owerri, Imo State – Members of the Achi Mbieri Community in Mbaitoli Local Government Area have raised serious concerns over the handling of oil revenue accruable to the community, calling for transparency and accountability from their leadership.

At a news briefing organized by the Achi Stakeholders Forum on Sunday in Owerri, community members alleged that President-General (PG) Victor Iwuagwu unequally distributed funds paid by Seplat Energy, an oil exploration company, to the component villages without approval or supervision from the community’s executive council.

The community’s Financial Secretary, Richard Durunna, denied any involvement in the disbursement, stating that Iwuagwu had unilaterally run the community’s affairs.

“I only learned that funds had been paid when the villages confirmed receiving money. The sharing formula was allegedly based on instructions from his late mother in a dream, which I find bizarrely disturbing,” Durunna said.

Following a Saturday meeting, the stakeholders and community members issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding that Iwuagwu convene an emergency meeting to explain his financial decisions.

Other community leaders also weighed in. Charles Opara, a forum member, described the discovery of oil in the community as a “supposed blessing rather than a reason for chaos” and urged the PG to avoid personalizing community wealth.

Traditional Prime Minister Nzeh Adolphus Nnadi called on the Imo State Government to order a forensic audit to resolve the dispute, while youth leader Chigazu Ohamadike appealed for peaceful dialogue and calm resolution.

Attempts to reach PG Iwuagwu for comment were unsuccessful, as he repeatedly declined calls.

The development underscores rising tensions in oil-rich communities in Nigeria, where mismanagement of resource revenues often triggers community unrest and legal battles.

January 12, 2026